The electrochemical formation of Ni-Sn was investigated in molten LiCl-KCl at 380 to 580C. An electrochemical study of the Ni2+/Ni0, Sn4+/Sn2+ and Sn2+/Sn0 redox couples was performed using cyclic voltametry and chronopotentiometry over a wide temperature range. It was found that, in the case of the Sn4+/Sn2+ redox couple, an insoluble compound was probably formed below 460C. At higher temperatures, this compound becames soluble, and the shape of the cyclic voltammogram was then analogous to that usually observed when a diffusion-controlled process was involved. The diffusion coefficients of Ni2+ and Sn2+ ions were determined (table 103). The DNi(II) value, deduced using chronopotentiometry, was about 2.1 x 10-5cm2/s at 440C.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Ni-Sn Alloys in Molten LiCl-KCl. H.El Ghallali, H.Groult, A.Barhoun, K.Draoui, D.Krulic, F.Lantelme: Electrochimica Acta, 2009, 54[11], 3152-60

Table 103

Diffusivity of Ni2+ in LiCl-KCl Melt